MLHU urging faster vaccination as new COVID-19 cases jump
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 26 new COVID-19 cases, but no new deaths Wednesday.
The count marks a steep jump in cases, after just seven cases on Tuesday. It is also the first time in two weeks daily cases have exceeded 25.
The region now has a total of 12,475 cases and 223 deaths, with 12,137 cases resolved leaving 115 active. There are now 3,383 cases with a variant of concern.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is reporting 19 inpatients with COVID-19. Ten of those are in critical care, while out-of-region transfers accounts for fewer than five patients in acute care and critical care, and fewer than five staff members are positive.
The only active outbreak in the region is at LHSC's University Hospital in the 8TU Transplant Unit.
Starting Wednesday, anyone who received their first vaccine dose on or before May 9, can begin re-booking an earlier second dose appointment. That is in addition to all adults 70 and over, all Indigenous residents and those with specific health conditions.
Health officials are reminding people the minimum time between doses for those who first received Pfizer or Moderna is 28 days, while the interval is eight weeks for those who received AstraZeneca as their first dose.
In a statement, MLHU Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie said, "Regardless of what you received for your first dose, Pfizer and Moderna are both excellent options for a second dose, and clients will receive the vaccine that is available…AstraZeneca is also a great second dose option for those who received it for their first dose.”
As the Delta variant becomes more prevalent, any available mRNA vaccine is being recommended to accelerate second doses.
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – five new, 26 active, 3,843 total, 3,734 resolved, 83 deaths, 781 variants
- Grey-Bruce – two new, 42 active, 1,397 total, 1,348 resolved, seven deaths, 398 variants (first Delta variant)
- Haldimand-Norfolk – three new, 32 active, 2,690 total, 2,605 resolved, 47 deaths
- Huron-Perth – five new, 21 active, 1,867 total, 1,789 resolved, 57 deaths, 298 variants
- Sarnia-Lambton – two new, 24 active, 3,552 total, 3,466 resolved, 62 deaths, 620 variants
Across Ontario, more than 350 new cases were reported Wednesday, after a significant drop on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.